KR20110137785A - A power capture device - Google Patents

Abstract

The power generator 10 utilizing the motion of the sea comprises an elongated column 12 bearing the support structure 14 for general motion with respect to the support structure. The support structure is used to be secured to the sea floor and to be arranged for at least partially submerged general movement of the support structure in response to the forces transmitted by the movement of the sea in which the support structure and the column are located. The support structure is constructed such that the support end 26 of the pillar is used to operate one or more piston and cylinder assemblies in any order as a result of the movement of the pillar relative to the support structure. 32) may be included. The piston and cylinder assemblies are operably connected to drive the power generators 40.

Description

Power Generator {A POWER CAPTURE DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a power generator, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, to a marine based power generator.

Numerous techniques have been proposed for generating power from the sea in numerous wave and tidal wave generation technologies at various stages of development. The selection of the main system types is described next.

Wave energy devices

Wave energy devices operate using one of a number of principles. The devices may be located near the shoreline, near the shore, or off the shore. Early devices were based on shorelines, but the most recent concept has focused on offshore shores where wave energy is higher but conditions can be more challenging.

Oscillating Wave Column Systems

In these systems, the waves are trapped in the chamber and the elevation of water moves the column of air driving the turbine. These devices may be located on a shoreline (eg, installed on a cliff or breakwater) or on floating shoreline devices.

Tap-chan ( TAPCHAN Systems

Systems installed on these shorelines use progressively tapered channels (TAP-CHAN) to amplify to levels that enable several meters of elevated reservoirs or lagoons above the normal sea level to fill the crest. Electricity is generated as water exits the reservoir back to the sea through a low drop turbine.

Point absorbers

In these devices, a floatation movement is used to drive the generator. The complete system includes a float (which may be below the surface of the sea or the surface of the sea), a generator and, in most cases, a platform / foundation fixed to the sea floor. Movement of the float (usually relative to the fixed platform) drives the generator to generate electricity.

Hinged Contour  Device( Hined Contour Device )field

These devices generate electricity using the relative motion of a series of suspended structures. Vertical and / or horizontal motion between the floats can be captured using hydraulic pressure or mechanical coupling.

Overtopping Devices

In these devices, waves flow over the structure and electricity is generated by dropping water, directly or indirectly, to power the turbine. These types of devices can be located offshore or offshore.

Tidal energy devices

Tidal streams fall into two main categories: tidal dams and tidal turbines. Dams have already been tried and installed in numerous places, the dams have been successfully proven, and their cost and environmental impacts mean that current turbines are the leading technology concept currently proposed.

Dams

Tidal dams are installed at tidal mouths or inlets and operate by re-interesting the flow of high and low tidal water. Once a sufficient drop of water has been formed, water can be discharged through the turbines to generate electricity.

Bird devices

It operates using principles similar to wind turbines, with tidal turbines generating power directly from the tidal stream. These devices are installed in places where there is a rapid tidal stream or where the continuous stream is fast and strong enough to generate energy from the water stream. The turbines can be positioned horizontally or vertically and these systems can be floating or fixed directly to the sea floor.

The present invention does not utilize any of the principles used in the above known devices, but instead utilizes inertial forces such as algae, expansion, waves, ocean currents from the ocean immersion mass for a fixed point. A preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention takes the form of an elongated buoyancy column supported by a support structure and, when viewed from above, appears to be a classic lissajou movement and superimposed movement caused by eddy generation. Can exercise.

The buoyancy shaft moves like an inverted pendulum in the wind. Unlike the pendulum, however, the shaking describes a fixed radius arc (length of string) in two dimensions, and the shaft column (in two dimensions) moves along the appropriate horizontal cord of the circle. In three dimensions, when viewed from above, this appears to be the classic lissajou picture of 8, but the column is subordinate to the vortex movement which keeps it in a substantially constant motion.

Vortex motion is an unstable flow that occurs at a certain flow rate (depending on the size and shape of the cylindrical body), in which a vortex is created behind the body and periodically separated from either side of the body, which causes eddy The eddy generation is caused when the fluid flows behind a hard object, the fluid flow behind the object creates alternating low pressure vortices on the downstream side of the object, which tends to move towards the low pressure region. As a result, if the frequency of eddy generation matches the resonant frequency of the structure, the structure will resonate and the motion of the structure can be self-sustaining.

This is a movement that can be used to generate electrical energy.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a power generator that utilizes the motion of a fluid body.

The power generating device according to the invention comprises an elongated buoyancy column supported by the support structure for general motion with respect to the support structure, the support structure being fixed to the ground with a column disposed in the passage of fluid flow and consequently And the column is used to experience a vortexing motion that automatically generates a general motion for the support structure in response to the force transmitted by the fluid flow behind the column, the support structure power generating the motion of the column. An operating means for converting the means into an operating force for driving the means.

In some preferred configurations according to the invention, the buoyancy column may be used to stand against the support structure.

In other configurations, the buoyancy column may be used to hang from the support structure.

According to one feature of the invention, the support structure is: It may be used to be secured to the bottom or embankments of the body of water, such as seabeds, grooves or embankments, where the column is automatically at least partially submerged in the support structure in response to the forces transmitted by the flow of water behind the column. It is arranged for general exercise.

According to another feature of the invention, the operating means may comprise a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies. Preferably, an arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies is provided by the support structure, wherein the column is used to operate the piston and cylinder assemblies in any order as a result of the movement of the column relative to the support structure. The arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies is arranged to provide a means for operating the heads of the pistons with respect to the support end of the pillar which in any order causes reciprocating movement of the pistons as a result of the movement of the pillar. Also preferred. Further, the arrangement of the piston and cylinder assemblies is arranged in a partially spherical arrangement, and the support end of the column causes the partially spherical arrangement of the piston and cylinder assemblies to cause the reciprocating motion of the pistons in any order. It is desirable to include a spherical actuator that moves around. More preferably, the piston and cylinder assemblies are arranged in a plurality of concentric annular weirs in a partially spherical recess in the support structure.

According to another feature of the invention, in some configurations the arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies may be hydraulically or mechanically connected to drive the power generating means contained in the support structure. In other configurations, the arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies may be mechanically operated to drive the power generating means contained in the support structure.

According to another feature of the invention, the pillar may be bearing to the support structure by means of a ball and socket joint arrangement.

According to another feature of the invention, the support end of the pillar comprises the ball of the ball and socket joint arrangement, wherein the socket of the ball and socket joint arrangement is provided by a concave ring in the support structure. Preferably, the pillar is in the support structure above the ball of the ball and socket joint arrangement that operates the means in any order to drive the power generating means as a result of the movement of the column relative to the support structure. And an extension.

According to another feature of the invention, the support structure and the pillar may have faces formed complementarily to limit the general movement of the pillar relative to the support structure.

The present invention can improve the assumptions of the effective surface area, the coefficient of rise, the vortex structure, the damping effect, the extinguishing area, etc., so that the function can be excellent. A coefficient of ascension of 1 may be of magnitude 3.5, while used in the present calculations, giving a direct improvement of the factor of 3.5. On the other hand, the coefficients are unlikely to exceed 0.59 (59%) since this is a theoretical limit in open flow according to the Lanchester-Betz criterion.

It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the device is installed in an inverted position such that the column is suspended from the support structure in the body of water. In this arrangement the free end of the lower part of the column can be heavy and behave like a pendulum with normal motion. The support structure itself is supported by a gantry crane that spans natural or artificial channels through which water can flow or the gantry can span river banks.

In another embodiment of the present invention, it is expected that the device may be modified for use as a wind turbine. In this arrangement the pillar may be formed from a lightweight structure, plastics, or other suitable material providing a sealed buoyancy cylinder filled with air or helium.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a simplified perspective view of the device showing that the long post is movably connected to a fixed support structure.
2 is an enlarged perspective view of the support structure and the bottom end of the column, shown partially in a vertical cross section;
3 is a further enlarged view of FIG. 2 showing the arrangement of the base and hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies of the column.
4 is a further enlarged view of the view of the base of the column showing annular banks of piston and cylinder assemblies.
5 (a) is a perspective view of one mechanical arrangement for the operation of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies.
Figure 5 (b) is a sketch of the bottom end of the device.
6 shows a mechanical arrangement for converting the movement of the pillar into a rotational movement for driving generators.
7 is a top view of the column showing motion as a result of eddy generation.
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 highlighting the vortex vortex.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 6, the device 10 includes an elongated buoyancy column 12, which is received and received in a support structure 14 used to be anchored to the seabed. It is expected that the column can have a length of 200 m and a diameter of 40 m. Therefore, large structures can be formed from suitable plastic materials.

In addition, it is contemplated that the pillar 12 can be formed from a pile of annular module portions. If the column is formed in a modular structure, its height can be varied for different water depths. Moreover, while this structure is not disturbed when installed, it can be easily repaired if damaged by impact.

The pillar is bearing to the support structure by a ball and socket joint adjacent the top of the support structure. The ball and socket joint comprises a spherical portion 16 (FIGS. 2 and 4) of the column adjacent its lowest extreme and a concave ring 18 formed in the support structure. Therefore, the column can move generally relative to the support structure in response to the forces transmitted by various complex movements of the sea. However, the overall motion of the pillar is limited by the complementary formed mating bearing surfaces 20, 22 provided by the pillar 24 and the head 24 of the support structure, respectively.

At the extreme end of the support end of the pillar is formed a spherical actuator 26 spaced apart from the spherical portion 16 by an integral arm 28. The spherical actuator 26 operates in a semi-spherical bowl 30 formed in the support structure. The spherical actuator 26 moves around protrusions that operate the pistons in the arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies 32. The pistons operate in any order resulting in the movement of the column. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies is arranged in the bowl 30 in the plurality of concentric annular banks 34, 36, 38. The piston and cylinder assemblies are connected to a plurality of power generators 40 trapped in the chamber 42 of the support structure disposed below the bowl 30 by suitable hydraulic and / or mechanical circuits. The operation of the pistons and the connecting fluid circuit is such that the continuous generation of power is obtained through the constant movement of the column. However, the power generating means are individually housed from the support structure and are located offshore to pump up a fluid, which may be seawater, to supply energy to the battery for remote generation of electricity.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a single piston and cylinder assembly 44 of the arrangement 32 is shown. The piston and cylinder assembly 44 comprises a housing in the form of a cylindrical sleeve 46, each of which is contained in bores formed in the hemispherical bowl 30. One end of the sleeve 46 provides a seat (sea-t) for a spherical force transmission member, which is preferably a ball 48. The ball 48 may rotate about the sleeve 46 and move axially therein, but may be prevented from being removed from the open top of the sleeve by an inwardly located lip 47. The spherical actuator 26 at the support end of the pillar 12 periodically rushes in each of the transfer balls 48 while the spherical actuator passes the balls and pushes the transfer ball towards the sleeve against the pressure spring. do. The delivery ball is adjacent to the spherical end 50 of the piston rod 52 of the hydraulic ram 54. Therefore, the axial movement of the delivery ball 48 down the sleeve 46 presses the piston rod against the force of the return spring 56 to actuate the piston of the hydraulic ram. The hydraulic ram causes the hydraulic fluid to be delivered to the electrical storage means, which in turn drives one or more electric generators. When the spherical actuator 26 is not in contact with the particular piston and cylinder assembly, the transfer ball is returned to its upper inactive position at the top end of the sleeve by the restoring force of the return spring 56.

Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the piston and cylinder assembly is shown and parts similar to those of FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, with the suffix 'a' appended and functioning in a similar manner. .

In this other embodiment, the piston and cylinder assembly 44a does not include an enclosure of hydraulic or mechanical components, but rather is a mechanical assembly. Therefore, the piston rod 52a reciprocates in the sleeve 46a and projects through a hole 58 formed in the end wall 60 of the sleeve against the force of the return spring 56a. At the exposed lower end of the piston rod is formed a shaft gear 62 coupled with a planet gear wheel to drive the planet gear wheel 64 as a result of the reciprocating motion of the piston rod 52a. . The planet gear wheel 64 is driven in conjunction with a sun drive gear 66 of an electric generator that generates power.

7 and 8 illustrate the phenomenon of eddy generated when the buoyancy column is placed in fluid flow.

The buoyancy column is designed to extract energy from a tidal stream of 2-6 m / s and is caused to oscillate from side to side by the process of eddy generation.

The following equation applies to the oscillation frequency due to eddy generation, but this may fluctuate if the oscillators are damp.

이다.Where R _e is the number of Reynolds

to be.

υ = water viscosity = 0.001 Pa.s

ρ = water density = 1025 kg / m ³

d = device.diameter

μ _∞ = water velocity

h = device height

f = frequency

T = period

C _L = Coefficient of ascent = 1-3.5

이다.
then,

to be.

이다. C_L 은 소용돌이 상황에서 불확실하나, 아마도 1 과 3.5 사이에 있다. 1.0의 값이 여기에 사용된다.The lift due to the vortex is per unit area

to be. C _L Is uncertain in the vortex situation, but is probably between 1 and 3.5. A value of 1.0 is used here.

로 주어진다. 상기 직경의 절반이 상승이 발생하는 면적이라고 가정하자.Considering a band of one meter thick, the distance of the "y" meter above the lever, the total force from this band is lift * 0.5 * diameter

Is given by Assume that half of the diameter is the area where rise occurs.

이다.The torque attributable to the force G occurring from this band

to be.

이다.The total torque for the device is obtained by integrating the effects of all bands from y = 0 to y = h, which is

to be.

J(주울)이다.If the buoyancy column is shaken by θ radians, the work or energy done is

J (joule).

또는

J/s 또는 W 이다.Then, the power

or

J / s or W

Substituting all of the above

와트(Watts)

Watts

와트(Watts)

Watts

To estimate the useful power in the water flow, the power is based on the standard energy flow rate and area, which is the frontal area hd of the device. This is a value very close to the estimate and may actually be smaller, or on the other hand, the value may be larger since the area swept by the device may be the actual area, ie 2hθ.

와트(Watts)

Watts

However, we can take A = dh

와트(Watts)

Watts

Therefore, the conversion frequency

The above calculations are used to get some numbers up to several ranges that belong to multiple uncertainties.

The following calculations are for a column length of 200 m from the central axis to the surface of the water. The column diameter varies from 5 m to 40 m and the water velocity reaches up to 6 m / s.

energy

The energy generated in each cycle is highly dependent on the device diameter and the speed of the water.

Cycle

The period of the vorticity oscillation is shown below, again dependent on the device diameter and the speed of water.

power

Calculating the cycle power is accomplished by dividing the cycle energy by the cycle, which has the important result of reducing all curves for the column diameter to the same power curve. This occurs because increasing the pillar diameter increases the energy in each cycle, but since the oscillation period increases accordingly, the overall effect on the power output is independent of the diameter. On the scale below, 2.00 × 10 ⁰⁷ means 20 MW.

efficiency

It is possible to estimate the efficiency by considering the output power against the power in the flow of water. This has a number of uncertainties and may be of little value, but the graph shown suggests that the efficiency is better at lower device diameters.

A single curve applies to all water velocities.

Tank and model test

Small scale model tests are performed in the water tank and load / displacement measurements are subsequently made.

Assuming that the model is on a scale of 1: 600, (0.33 m: 200 m), the flow in the tank, using Proud scaling, was variable at 10, 20, 30, 40 liters per second. , And correspond at speeds of 2.7, 5.4, 8.2 and 10.8 m / s, respectively.

The load / displacement measurement result of 15N for this force corresponds to 15 × 600 ³ = 3.24 GN.

If the column is shaken by 15 degrees, the energy = 848 MJ.

From the tank test results the period of motion was a dimension of 1 s, which corresponds to a full scale period of 1 × 600 ^0.5 = 24.49 s.

Therefore, the full scale power would be 848 MJ / 24.49 s = 34 MW.

Math and small scale tests show the potential for concepts. The body moves in a predicted manner and based on many assumptions, output power levels of tens of MW are estimated. A full scale apparatus of 200 m, and any diameter of 5-40 m, may generate 50 MW at a speed of water of 6 m / s.

10: power generator 12: long buoyancy column
14 support structure 16 spherical part of column
18: concave ring 20, 22: complementary formed mating bearing surfaces
24: head

Claims (16)

An elongate buoyancy column supported by the support structure for general movement with respect to the support structure, the support structure being secured to the ground with a column disposed in the passage of fluid flow, with the result that the column is behind the column. It is used to experience a vortexing motion that automatically generates a general motion for the support structure in response to the force transmitted by the fluid flow, the support structure converting the motion of the column into an operating force for driving the power generating means. A power generating device utilizing the movement of the fluid body comprising an operation means for. The power generating device of claim 1, wherein the buoyancy column utilizes movement of a fluid body used to stand relative to the support structure. The power generating device of claim 1, wherein the buoyancy column utilizes movement of a fluid body used to suspend from the support structure. 4. The support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure can be used to be secured to the bottom or embankments of the body of water, such as a seabed, a groove or a weir, wherein the column is caused by the flow of water behind the column. And a power generator utilizing the motion of the fluid body disposed for at least partially submerged general motion relative to the support structure in response to the transmitted force. 5. The power generating device of claim 1, wherein said operating means utilizes movement of a fluid body comprising a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies. 6. 6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies is provided by the support structure and the column is a fluid that operates the piston and cylinder assemblies in any order as a result of the movement of the column relative to the support structure. Power generator that utilizes the movement of the body. 7. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein the arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies operates the heads of the pistons with respect to the support end of the pillar resulting in reciprocating movement of the pistons in any order as a result of the movement of the pillar. And a power generating device that utilizes the motion of the fluid body disposed to provide a means for making it. 8. The piston and cylinder assembly of claim 7, wherein the arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies is arranged in a partially spherical arrangement and the support end of the column causes the piston and cylinder assembly to cause the reciprocating motion of the pistons in any order. Power generation device utilizing the motion of a fluid body comprising a spherical actuator moving around said partially spherical array of electrons. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the piston and cylinder assemblies utilize movement of a fluid body arranged in a plurality of concentric annular weirs in a partially spherical recess in the support structure. 10. The method of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies utilizes the movement of a hydraulic body that is hydraulically or mechanically connected to drive the power generating means contained in the support structure. Power generator. 10. The power generator of any one of claims 6-9, wherein said arrangement of piston and cylinder assemblies utilizes the motion of a fluid body mechanically operated to drive power generating means contained within said support structure. 12. The power generation device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the column utilizes movement of the fluid body bearing in the support structure by a ball and socket joint arrangement. 13. The movement of the fluid body of claim 12, wherein said support end of said column comprises said ball of said ball and socket joint arrangement, said socket of said ball and socket joint arrangement being provided by a concave ring in said support structure. Power generator utilizing the. 14. The support of claim 13, wherein the pillar is adapted to operate the means in any order to drive power generating means as a result of the movement of the pillar relative to the support structure. A power generating device that utilizes the motion of the fluid body including extensions within the structure. 15. The power generation of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the support structure and the column generate power utilizing the motion of the fluid body with complementary formed faces to limit the general movement of the column relative to the support structure. Device. 16. The power generation device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the column utilizes the motion of the fluid body including a pile of buoyancy module portions.

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